Reviewed by: MrBooth Date: 04/07/2024 As infants Ying Zheng and Gao Jianli suckle at the same teat, Gao's mother being the wet nurse for the infant Qin Prince. Qin is invaded and young Ying Zheng nearly loses his head, but a last minute change of political winds restores him to royalty, and at the age of 13 he is crowned king. Meanwhile, Gao pursues his artistic inclinations and grows up to become a celebrated composer. Years later, Ying Zheng has turned Qin into the most powerful kingdom in China and set his eyes on conquering his remaining rivals, uniting the country as its first emperor. He sends for his childhood friend to compose an anthem for the new nation. The film is epic in scope but intimately focused, telling of the birth of an empire and the tumultuous hearts of two men in the same breath. THE EMPEROR'S SHADOW came out two years before THE EMPEROR AND THE ASSASSIN, but both were released on DVD at about the same time so I saw them more or less back to back. Chen Kaige's film got all the attention, but for me this was the better film. Revisiting it these many years later I am even more impressed, perhaps mature enough now to fully appreciate the tale it tells, and the rich performances of Jiang Wen and Ge You (and Xu Qing for that matter). It's beautifully filmed with sumptuous production design and a very cinematic aesthetic... and an absolute bitch of an ending. It seems to have been largely overlooked despite being able to stand proud besides other Chinese films of the era that are more celebrated. Due for a reappraisal, I think. Reviewer Score: 9

Reviewed by: magic-8 Date: 06/08/2000 Summary: An Outstanding Film "The Emperor's Shadow" is an exceptional movie by Chow Hiu Man with an equally adept script by Lui Wai. The film shows what hubris can do to people in high places, where pride goeth before the fall (to paraphrase an old saying). China's first emperor, played by Jiang Wen, is trying to build a kingdom by defeating all others to unify, united under his rule. He feels a national anthem is necessary to bring the people around to the idea of one ruler, one nation. To carry out this plan, he defeats and then recruits Ge You to compose the anthem. The two share a moment together as children--a bond that they later rekindle as adults. What develops is the intriguing part of the film. We see the emperor steadfast in his belief that he is the one to bring order. Killing to control people is a tool he uses with great abandon. He doesn't think twice when exercising his authority. His "shadow," Ge You, is wholeheartedly against him on all fronts, fearing and loathing his subjugation. The dialogue is sharp and to the point. The actors are uniformly excellent. The film has a very modern feel to it even though depicting an age far removed from today. What makes this film so compelling is its portrayal of people with idiosyncracies, mood swings, self absorption, stubbornness. Basicsally, presenting people with their faults. And it is through their faults that they define themselves. A major point that is presented in the film is how blind, to things and surroundings, a person may become when trying to attain one's goal, no matter what that might be. Reviewer Score: 9